Labour MP Afzal Khan, who represents Manchester Rusholme, has resigned as the United Kingdom’s trade envoy to Turkey following a week of mounting controversy over his recent visit to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The territory, which has been occupied by Turkish troops since 1974, is not recognised by the UK government or the wider international community—a fact that sits at the heart of the uproar that led to Khan’s decision to step down.
The resignation, confirmed on August 15, 2025, comes after a flurry of criticism from both within Westminster and abroad. According to the BBC, Khan’s trip was intended as a personal journey: he was visiting his nephew and receiving an honorary degree from an academic institution in Northern Cyprus. Khan has repeatedly emphasized that he paid for the trip himself, stating the visit was made “in a personal capacity during the parliamentary recess” and was “unrelated” to his official government role.
Despite his insistence on the private nature of the trip, the visit drew sharp condemnation from the Cypriot government. As reported by Sky News, Cypriot officials described Khan’s actions as “absolutely condemnable and unacceptable,” asserting that “the relevant representations have been made to him for his unacceptable behaviour.” The Cypriot government further stated that Khan’s actions were “in complete contradiction with the established position of all British governments.”
The controversy was further inflamed by Khan’s meeting with Ersin Tatar, the Turkish Cypriot leader. This encounter, according to _The Guardian_, was described by the Cypriot government as “absolutely condemnable and unacceptable.” A video circulating in the media showed Khan posing for photographs in Tatar’s office, adding to the perception that the visit had political undertones, regardless of Khan’s personal motivations.
In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Khan acknowledged the controversy and the distraction it had caused. He wrote, “This travel was unrelated to my role as trade envoy, however I understand the circumstances have generated controversy. It is my belief that trust in Parliament is paramount. Due to the attention this matter has drawn, I feel it is best to step down at this time, as to not distract from the hard work this Labour government is doing to secure the best possible trade deals and international relationships for our country.”
The UK Foreign Office, seeking to clarify the government’s stance, issued a statement reiterating that Khan’s visit was undertaken in a personal capacity. “There is no change to the government’s long-standing position regarding the so-called ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’,” the statement read, as quoted by Sky News. The British government has maintained its refusal to recognize Northern Cyprus as an independent nation since Turkey’s military invasion of the island in 1974.
Further complicating matters, Khan reportedly traveled via Tymbou airport, also known as Ercan International Airport. The Cypriot government considers the use of this airport to enter or exit the island illegal, and the British government prohibits direct flights to the airport. Shadow foreign affairs minister Wendy Morton highlighted this in a letter to Europe minister Stephen Doughty, expressing “deep concern” over Khan’s travel route.
The fallout from the visit was not confined to government halls alone. Christos Karaolis, president of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, which represents over 30,000 Cypriots living in Britain, welcomed Khan’s resignation. Speaking to Sky News, Karaolis said, “We welcome Afzal Khan’s resignation as the UK trade envoy to Turkey. His position was clearly untenable following his deeply inappropriate and unacceptable visit to occupied northern Cyprus. The UK has a special role in Cyprus as a guarantor power and permanent member of the UN Security Council. Mr Khan’s condemnable actions compromised UK foreign policy, undermined the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, and contravened international law. We are very grateful to the Parliamentarians and media who stood with our UK Cypriot community and raised this issue.”
Back in Parliament, the reaction was swift and largely unforgiving. Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, had called for Khan’s resignation earlier in the week, and Wendy Morton, the shadow foreign minister, echoed those sentiments. Morton told the BBC, “I welcome Mr Khan’s resignation, but Sir Keir Starmer should have sacked him earlier.” The sentiment was widely shared among opposition MPs, many of whom argued that the Labour leadership had been slow to act in the face of mounting diplomatic pressure.
Khan, for his part, sought to contextualize his visit by pointing out that “20 British parliamentarians had visited northern Cyprus without attracting similar criticism,” as reported by the BBC. This claim, while not disputed, did little to quell the storm of criticism that ultimately led to his departure from the trade envoy role. The government, meanwhile, confirmed that Khan had left his position as Trade Envoy to Turkey, with a spokesperson stating, “Mr Khan has left his position as trade envoy to the Republic of Turkey.”
The incident has reignited debate about the sensitive status of Northern Cyprus. Since 1974, the northern third of the island has remained under Turkish occupation following a military intervention that was triggered by a Greek-backed coup. The international community, including the United Kingdom, has consistently refused to recognize the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, maintaining diplomatic relations only with the Republic of Cyprus in the south. The ongoing division of the island remains one of Europe’s longest-standing unresolved conflicts, with periodic tensions flaring between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
Khan’s resignation also highlights the delicate balancing act that British officials must perform when engaging with disputed territories. The UK, as a guarantor power under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has a vested interest in maintaining stability and upholding international law on the island. Any perceived deviation from this stance—especially by a government official—can have significant diplomatic repercussions.
For the Labour Party, the episode serves as a reminder of the scrutiny that comes with government office, particularly in the realm of foreign affairs. While Khan maintains that his visit was personal and unrelated to his official duties, the political fallout demonstrates how even well-intentioned actions can be interpreted through the lens of international diplomacy and historical grievance.
As the dust settles, the resignation of Afzal Khan stands as a cautionary tale about the complexities of diplomatic protocol and the enduring sensitivities surrounding Cyprus. For now, the British government’s position remains unchanged: Northern Cyprus is not recognized, and officials are expected to act accordingly—both in their official and personal capacities.
